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Southern Style Italian Meatballs

My Italian upbringing meant meatballs in the house—meatballs covered with marinara, fried meatballs, baked meatballs, meatball sandwiches—you name it. These meatballs are easy to prepare, the ingredients are affordable, and it’s the ideal meal for lunch or dinner. Your family will love it so much that you’ll want to make these often.

Preheat oven to broil. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; incorporate thoroughly. Roll the meat between the palms of your hands to desired size. Place meatballs on a broiling pan, and cook in the oven, turning often, until brown and cooked through. Serve with marinara sauce.

Maria’s Marinara Sauce

It was my father who started his own slow-food revolution in our family, a revolution I carry on in my family today. He picked olives and tended his large organic garden of fruits and vegetables, including fava beans, escarole, rapini and broccoli, he cherished the Roma and plum tomatoes as his most prized possession. Buy some organic tomatoes at the farmers’ market and make this sauce. Serve it over pasta, over your favorite vegetables or simply for dipping with a crusty Italian baguette. I guarantee you and your family will love it.

Serves 8-10

12 medium-size ripe tomatoes

2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste

Red wine (optional)

3 tablespoons dried basil

3 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1 tablespoon fennel seeds (optional)

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

6 bay leaves

3 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed

Chicken bouillon, to taste

Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Arrange the tomatoes on the sheet pan and roast for 30–35 minutes. When tomatoes have cooled, remove peel and core. Place in a blender, in small batches, and puree until smooth. Transfer tomato puree to a large saucepot; bring to a slow boil and add tomato paste. Using a whisk, add water until you reach desired consistency (You can substitute a bit of red wine for some of the water). Add remaining ingredients; cover and simmer over low heat for about 25–30 minutes.